The Greatest Cat Toys for Your Furry Buddy (2025)

Cats are stunning, attention-grabbing, bizarre creatures. They’re additionally very choosy. Discovering cat toys that they will really play with is hard, particularly with the sheer oversaturation of the pet market right now. Cats require a selected atmosphere to play, scratch, and chill out. Primarily based on years of testing with our cats, these are our favourite WIRED-approved, techy cat toys (and furnishings). Even when our cats rejected a specific product, we nonetheless examined total development, design, and worth to find out whether or not it could be helpful for different kitties.

We love interactive cat toys—all the pieces on this listing we have examined through the years, and our cats really play with. All of those toys even have a component to assist have interaction their pure instincts, like an interactive mat that mimics prey’s actions, or a puzzle toy so your cat has to make use of their pecan-sized mind to get rewarded with scrumptious treats. Plus, rising vertical area with cat furnishings is an effective way to offer passive enrichment.

I am a helicopter cat mother specializing in pet tech, and all the cat toys and furnishings on this information are authorized by each my and different staffers’ (very spoiled) WIRED cats. Try our associated guides just like the Greatest Computerized Cat Litter Bins, Greatest Computerized Cat Feeders, Greatest Cat Water Fountains, and Our Favourite Fancy Cat Furnishings. Extra of a canine individual? We have got you lined! See our Greatest Equipment and Tech Necessities for Your Canine information.

Up to date October 2025: We have added The Purrgola, Mau Reiya, and Mau Ivy 3, and eliminated the 5Strands Intolerances & Imbalances Check. We have up to date costs and hyperlinks all through.

Cat Toys

This feline crowd pleaser is the cat toy I like to recommend everybody purchase. My extraordinarily spoiled cats hardly ever work together with a toy for greater than 5 minutes, however they play with this interactive cat toy for hours on finish. It has three modes so cats by no means get bored: Regular, Energetic, and Interactive, and it shuts off routinely after a time frame not getting used. It has a easy USB charger (however lasts on a cost for about six days_, and a button that controls all the pieces, plus it comes with a substitute wand in case your cats are as rough-and-tumble as mine. Though this is a little more than I prefer to spend on cat toys, it was the perfect buy I’ve made this 12 months.

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

Viwik

Interactive Cat Toy Mat

My cats go bonkers for interactive play mats, and though this one did not maintain their consideration as a lot because the play mat above, it is nonetheless a strong selection and offers them with choices with regards to human-free play. The rechargeable rolling ball lights up and strikes erratically contained in the mat, which held my cats’ consideration for in all probability half an hour. I put this one away for a number of days earlier than bringing it again out to maintain curiosity. You possibly can even use the rolling ball as a toy exterior the mat, however beware that it simply rolls underneath furnishings and in hard-to-reach corners. My greatest gripe is that the rechargeable ball has a brief battery life and must be charged after every play session.

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

Valonii

Movement Activated Cat Laser Toy

There’s some controversy within the cat-owning group about whether or not lasers are too irritating for cats, who could really feel like they will by no means “catch” the “prey” (aka pouncing on the laser dot with out really having the ability to get it). My cats are each obsessive about laser toys, and it is an effective way for them to get train and maintain themselves entertained; I simply at all times give them treats after to reward them for a job nicely executed. This toy has three interactive modes and movement sensor activation to additional maintain cats’ consideration, and it lasts a few day earlier than needing to be recharged.

One among my cats is an especially clever, high-energy cat who’s additionally very meals motivated, so it’s a continuous problem to search out issues to maintain him entertained—to not point out, I even have to verify he would not inhale his meals. With this toy, you may cowl up the treats with the leaves or put them solely within the cups for an additional problem—I really like that this puzzle toy is completely customizable primarily based in your cat’s intelligence degree. I’ve each the Melon Insanity and Buggin’ Out fashions, and even years later, my cats are nonetheless entertained by them. I name {that a} good funding.

{Photograph}: Meowbox

If you cannot determine which type of toy your cats will like, otherwise you simply need them to be refreshed sometimes, Meowbox is a good subscription. You possibly can select to get deliveries each one or two months, they usually embrace each treats and extremely cute toys with an equally cute theme. Plus, for each field offered, the corporate provides meals to a shelter.

{Photograph}: SnugglyCat

Snuggly Cat

The Ripple Rug

Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s cats went nuts for this Ripple Rug. The underside piece stays in place whereas the highest will be configured into completely different shapes for taking part in (or searching), and you’ll reshape it as typically as you want. The fabric looks like felt, however is comprised of 24 post-consumer plastic bottles and might face up to sharp claws.

All three of our cats love the Kong Kickeroo, and it has been probably the most long-lived cat toys we’ve ever purchased. Bodhi is our eldest cat and barely performs with toys anymore, however even he can’t resist the Kickeroo. It’s the right form to seize and claw at together with his again paws, and it has a tail, combined textures, and crinkly materials inside with a contact of catnip. We additionally tried the smaller mannequin, nevertheless it was shortly chewed by, whereas the bigger one has lasted for years. —Simon Hill

{Photograph}: Amazon

Bawan

Silvervine Chew Sticks

My overactive cat Basil is one in every of roughly 40 p.c of cats that do not react to catnip, which is a bummer as a result of he will get FOMO watching his sister go wild. Fortunately, each of my cats go loopy for these easy sticks. It helps them have interaction with pure kicking instincts and redirects aggressive chewing from my iPhone wire. I might suggest that anybody with cats who do not react to catnip or have aggressive chewing tendencies give these a strive.

{Photograph}: Amazon

I’ve had seven cats over the previous 20 years, and each single one in every of them has been obsessive about this interactive toy. And never simply any wand toy, this one particularly and its unique feather attachment, which makes use of the identical swivel mechanism as a fishing lure to create motion by the air that registers as 100% genuine to cats. There are different attachments out there, like fur “mice,” however nothing hits fairly like the unique feather cluster. Be sure to fill up on refills, in case your cat finds the wand in the course of the evening and has its means with it. (Talking from expertise.) —Kat Merck

This pet digicam has the flexibility to manage a laser through app, so you may have interaction in play together with your cat even when away, and it goals to auto-engage when movement is detected (however fairly often it did not). Though I want the movement sensors have been a bit extra delicate to interact in play extra typically whereas I am not residence, it persistently saved my cats entertained, plus it was enjoyable to have the ability to play with them by the app from afar.

Is it a toy? Is it a safety digicam? Is it a deal with dispenser? There is not any must determine! Whereas my cats have been extra curious than excited to play with this li’l robotic pet digicam, it did maintain their consideration, which is a win in my guide. My cat Basil was obsessive about the toy attachment and liked discovering alternative ways to proudly pull it off and produce it to me. The app is usually a bit glitchy, and the robotic is under no circumstances sensible, however it’s a digicam you may transfer about your home when you’re away, and it will roll, slam into objects, and shoot treats out at your confused cats. On the finish of the day, the robotic was nice at maintaining their consideration, which is all we actually need ultimately.

Cat Timber and Furnishings

{Photograph}: Kat Merck

Omlet

Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree

Greater than only a cat tree, the modular Freestyle enables you to customise your individual indoor or out of doors cat jungle health club from a collection of bamboo platforms, beds, ramps, hammocks, and scratchers. The platforms are sturdy sufficient to help cats of any measurement or exercise degree, and the poles can accommodate ceilings as much as 14 toes. The system just isn’t cheap or particularly straightforward to place collectively, however my cats Circe and Scylla spend each single day on theirs, making it well worth the funding. —Kat Merck

This is without doubt one of the hottest objects I’ve ever examined with my cats. Neighbors adore it, supply individuals touch upon it, and, after all, each my cats adore it. It’s tremendous straightforward to assemble and set up, offered you have got a vertical sash window—simply shut the window on it, and raised acrylic stakes within the again will maintain it in place. (You even have the choice to screw the Purrgola to the window body, which is really helpful, and/or safe the window in place with window locks.) The thick, weatherproof acrylic—which is significantly thick; it even survived a tumble out of a first-story window throughout our take a look at—is load-tested to 90 kilos, and the cushion inside has a comfortable, minky, machine-washable cowl. The screens on both aspect are stainless-steel mesh to forestall any humorous enterprise. It’s obtained an acrylic door on the room aspect that pulls out and down to shut, however this half is fragile; I’ve now damaged it twice taking it out and in of the window, nevertheless it glues again simply wonderful. I wouldn’t suggest utilizing a Purrgola throughout a really wet season, as somewhat heavy rain will come within the aspect screens (although not lots!), or the place there are many bugs, because it’s not an hermetic match within the window. Nevertheless, in case your cats are indoor-only (and they need to be!), this can be a enjoyable and trendy means for them to work together safely with the outside. Additionally be aware that it could take cats some time to get used to it—it took each of mine a few week, however after that, they have been each in it day by day. —Kat Merck

Nobody does high-end cat furnishings fairly like Mau. WIRED has examined a number of of Mau’s cat timber through the years, and each one has been a banger: objectively stunning, sturdy, well-made, and beloved by cats. The solid-oak Reiya isn’t one in every of Mau’s flashier designs, and actually, I’m shocked by how unassuming it seems on-line—in individual, it reads as a midcentury murals, Hans Wegner-esque with rounded edges and a glowing oak end. Everybody who visits our home has commented on it. I admit I used to be somewhat frightened concerning the baskets being clawed or unraveled, however they’re plastic rattan. The woolly Oeko-Tex cushion covers zip off for laundry, and for youthful, extra playful kitties, there are rings on the underside of the highest platform for dangling white, inexperienced, or pink non-compulsory pom poms ($12). The scratching pad is the laborious type of sisal materials, which my cats don’t love, however they shortly warmed as much as it with some coaching. In any case, a Mau cat tree is an funding, however you get what you pay for, and that is doubtless the final cat tree you will have to purchase in your lifetime. In the event you’re undecided, Mau affords a 45-day trial interval and one-year guarantee. —Kat Merck

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

It is fairly clear that the WIRED evaluations group loves Mau furnishings. It is modern, well-made, and appears like a high-end piece of furnishings slightly than the ugly, cheaply-made cat timber of yesteryear. This piece is strong: with a heavy wooden base, two sturdy sisal-rope lined trunk items that screw collectively, three woven baskets that screw in to put, and three super-soft fur pillows. Plus, all of of the items are replaceable, in order that if one thing succumbs to put on and tear over time, you will not should throw away the complete tree. The fur cushions are machine cleanable too, however be sure you learn the cleansing instructions to make sure they final so long as potential. Mau has free transport (within the contiguous USA and Canada), a 45-day return coverage, and a one-year guarantee. My cats use this tree day by day, and I am comfortable to have this fashionable piece proudly on show in my front room.

{Photograph}: Mau

Cats like to leap and climb no matter they will, so a cat tree ought to assist maintain them occupied and off your mantel or breakable glassware. Our favourite cat timber are comprised of supplies that may be scratched up. (We even have a information to the fanciest cat furnishings we have tried in case you really need the total scoop.) Once you stay in a small house, all the pieces you beautify with issues as a result of it is all on show—nothing will get hidden if you solely have one to a few rooms. A few of us need our cat’s furnishings to match, too. Mau’s Cento is one in every of former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s favorites. In the event you can afford it, your cats will thanks.

{Photograph}: Kat Merck

Mau

Kona Finish Desk Scratcher

Mau is thought for its high-end and tasteful cat furnishings (together with our Mau picks above), and its Kona aspect desk matches proper into the lineup with a midcentury mod vibe and scratching pad discreetly tucked into the again. The solid-wood desk may be very heavy and well-made, with choices for an oak or walnut end. It didn’t dissuade my cats from scratching the chair it’s subsequent to, nevertheless it does include a bag of catnip to assist with encouragement. This desk is common and sometimes offered out, however you may join on Mau’s web site to be notified of the subsequent restock. —Kat Merck

{Photograph}: Medea Giordano

Ok&H Pet Merchandise

Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch

Our favourite window perch lets cats responsibly work together with the surface world. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano liked these window seats as a result of they’re an effective way for cats to bask within the solar and maintain a watchful eye on the neighborhood whereas safely indoors. They’re straightforward to put in too, with sticky strips that connect to your windowsill that may maintain as much as 40 kilos. You too can nail the bottom into the window body, and there are even heated seats for super-spoiled kitties. The covers are detachable and will be machine-washed. Heads up, you may want a windowsill not less than 2 inches deep to correctly help it.

This cat mattress has a reminiscence foam sculpted-contour mattress base with an excellent cozy (detachable and washable) nano heating and volcanic-particle-infused cowl. It has a button on the aspect with completely different warmth settings, together with timed heatings. It has non-compulsory self-heating pure herb pad attachments for additional ache reduction and to assist scale back arthritic irritation, which is particularly best for senior cats. The sculpted mattress is specifically contoured to offer orthopedic help for the cat’s joints. Professional tip: Put the mattress on the next floor or someplace the cats already lounge. Cats like to be off the bottom, and as soon as I moved this on high of my aspect desk, each of my cats lay in it continuously.

I have been getting Instagram advertisements for this fashionable mattress that attaches to your desk for thus lengthy, I needed to cave and see if it was well worth the hype. Particularly since I’ve a really needy cat who likes to lounge on my laptop computer whereas I WFH. This mattress is straightforward to assemble, with an arm that screws into the wood base and a screwed vise to maintain the mattress in place on the desk. It has adjustable vertical peak, and the bottom additionally rotates. Simply be sure you measure the floor you wish to connect it to before you purchase. My desk was too thick, and my aspect desk was too skinny—fortunately they despatched further planks so as to add into the screwed vise to make it sturdier, however I have never discovered the purrfect spot for it but.

Different Necessities We Maintain Going Again To

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

Yeowww! Banana Catnip Toy for $6: This toy has been the only most liked toy by all of former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s cats.

Playology Feather Mice for $17: Do you know there are “chook” cats and “mouse” cats? Most cats really want to hunt particular kinds of prey, and I’ve seen this play out in my very own home. Although they’re litter mates, one in every of my indoor cats clearly prefers to leap at flying issues (birds) and the opposite likes to cover and leap out at issues down low (mice). They each get pleasure from these toys—they’re fuzzy like mice however feathered like birds, with some catnip for added curiosity. I like to recommend placing them away when playtime is completed to maintain curiosity contemporary, and to take away the bell in case you don’t wish to hear jingling in the course of the evening. —Kat Merck

Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy for $4: This absurdly easy toy is an inexpensive crowd pleaser. It is just a few rolls of cardboard that crush a springy metal wire. The erratic actions are just like bugs flying, and my cats at all times actively play with it.

Lick Mat for $8: A lick mat is an effective way so as to add enrichment and stimulation—plus, it helps them promote sluggish consuming (and fewer throwing up). I even have this set of two cute fish-shaped lick mats ($17) for every of my kitties, and it is a enjoyable technique to give them a deal with whereas selling sluggish feeding and stimulation. I put Churu puree with some added water to assist sneakily add extra hydration to their snacks.